GOP Debate in Milwaukee: Top 5 things we learned



MILWAUKEE -- The Republican presidential debate held Tuesday in Milwaukee drew an estimated 13.5 million views, a record for the Fox Business Network.

Moderators, seeking to avoid a repeat of last month's debate that the candidates have complained so much about, allowed more time for answers. The candidates on the main debate stage still argued over the economy and immigration, despite the toned-down forum.

FOX6 News Political Reporter Theo Keith had the following takeaways from the debate:


    Donald Trump has lost the incredible wave of momentum he was riding this summer and into the fall. He still holds leads in many polls, but only by slim margins over Ben Carson.

    Trump emboldened his supporters with dynamic performances in previous debates, allowing him to open a wide lead in polls conducted nationally and in early voting states. The Milwaukee event, which focused more on policy than personality, didn't fit his style as well.

    The audience twice booed Trump during the debate. Afterward, Trump said he hadn't heard the criticism and told a reporter the boos were "only in your mind."

    Trump still managed to be the center of attention with jabs at rivals John Kasich, Jeb Bush and Carly Fiorina.

    Kasich derided Trump's plan to deport 11 million people in the U.S. illegally, calling the idea "not an adult argument." Trump responded by suggesting Kasich, who had interrupted Bush, allow the former Florida governor to speak.

    "I’ve built an unbelievable company worth billions and billions of dollars. I don’t have to listen to this man," Trump said of Kasich.

    Later, when Fiorina interrupted Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Trump criticized her for interrupting. Afterward, Fiorina suggested Trump did so because she is a woman.

    People were interrupting each other all night long and, suddenly, when I make a point, Mr. Trump has to say, 'Wonder why she keeps interrupting?' But it’s typical of him," Fiorina said.

    Trump dismissed accusations of sexism, telling reporters that he'd acted appropriately because Fiorina was interrupting "too many times."


      Carson has climbed in the polls and is now Trump's closest rival, and the two frontrunners couldn't have more contrasting styles. Carson has faced media scrutiny over whether he lied about getting a West Point scholarship and other accounts of his life, and Trump hammered him over the weekend for it.

      Yet the expected showdown between the two men never materialized Tuesday. Trump even said of Carson afterward, "He was good."

      Carson was absent from long stretches of the debate, speaking for less time than any other candidate. The moderators didn't challenge him on the recent media controversies.

      Afterward, Trump was asked if he'd been let off the hook.

      "From this point on, I get to determine what the hook is," Carson told reporters. "I get to determine whether I’m going to answer what I consider silly questions."


        Bush caused panic within his campaign and among his donors with a weak performance in last month's CNBC debate. Having been overtaken by friend-turned-rival Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida in the race for "mainstream" Republican voters, Bush was in need of a good performance.

        The format of longer answers and rebuttals arguably helped Bush the most, allowing him to explain his policy positions that don't fit into a debate sound-bite.

        It remains to be seen how the polls -- and Bush's donors -- will view the performance long-term.


          Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus told FOX6 News that, in the previous debate, CNBC had "laid an egg." Late Tuesday night, Priebus was in a more cheerful mood.

          "This is really how we need these debates to be run and operated," he said of the Fox Business forum. "Not patty cake, but good questions, tough questions. The type of thing that allows for positive responses, allows for candidates to differentiate themselves."

          After Priebus offered his endorsement of the moderators, several candidates agreed that they had done a good job.

          The rival campaigns had been split on the demands they wanted to make of future debate hosts. Having everyone feeling better after Tuesday's event will make the party chairman sleep easier during the remainder of his visit to his home state of Wisconsin.


            Candidates who made the main debate but whose poll numbers are lagging tried new strategies Tuesday.

            Paul laid claim to the title of "true fiscal conservative," attacking Rubio for the latter's support of a significant increase in military spending.

            "Marco! Marco! How is it conservative to add a $1 trillion expenditure for the federal government that you're not paying for?" Paul asked.

            Rubio responded, "We can't even have an economy if we're not safe."

            Meanwhile, Kasich said he would continue to criticize Trump's policy positions, including his plan to deal with immigration.

            In the undercard debate, candidates fought for relevancy. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's strategy was to focus on Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton.

            Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, whose poll numbers are far worse than in 2012, brushed off questions about whether he should drop out.

            "Why would you ask that?" he questioned a reporter. "Of course I'm going on. Why would I be here (otherwise)?"

            Milwaukee will play host to a Democratic presidential debate on February 11th. That debate will be hosted by PBS.

            CLICK HERE for complete GOP Milwaukee debate coverage via FOX6Now.com.